“Our kids are playing at a really high level,” Spallina said. “They’re growing up. They’ve been in a lot of big games early in the year, and they’ve been in a lot of different situations. It’s allowed them to relax and play to their skill sets. Now, we’re starting to hit our stride at the right time of the year.”
While the Seawolves’ offense has grown and improved, their defense has held strong throughout the season. Stony Brook currently ranks second nationally in scoring defense, anchored by a core of veteran leaders like graduate defender Haley Dillon and graduate midfielder Rayna Sabella. Younger players like Masera and sophomore defender Clare Levy — who Spallina feels is one of the top five defenders in the country — have made an impact, too.
Dillon, who ranks seventh nationally in caused turnovers per game, only played in two games in 2021 before suffering a season-ending ACL injury. Sabella took her place on the Seawolves’ defense, going on to earn America East Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors. Sabella has taken on more of a two-way role as a midfielder this season, but she and Dillon have been clicking well on defense because of their close knowledge of each other’s roles.
Now, as the postseason looms, Stony Brook is without a conference tournament to play in. The America East denied all Stony Brook teams the ability to play for conference championships because of their move to the Colonial Athletic Association in fall 2022.
Masera said the inability to play in the conference tournament is especially disappointing for players, especially seniors, but it has pushed them to work hard to pick up wins and earn an at-large bid.
Spallina called the America East’s decision “pathetic,” saying it isn’t in the interest of student-athletes. So, Stony Brook has operated somewhat like an independent this season, he said, focusing on picking up ranked wins and securing a strong RPI. It’s also pushed the team to stay in the moment each day.
“I say this all the time: be where our feet are,” Spallina said. “We can’t be looking down the road [from] here. We’ve got to be where our feet are and maximize every day that we have, and just keep getting better.”